Verb

verleihen

Translation

to lend, to award, to rent out

Kannst du mir dein Buch verleihen?

Can you lend me your book?

Ihm wurde ein Preis verliehen.

He was awarded a prize.

Sie verleihen Fahrräder am Bahnhof.

They rent out bicycles at the station.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to lend sth. to sb. He is lending money to his friend.

((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to award sth. to sb. The university is awarding him the title.

((sth.acc)) ((to sb.acc)) to rent sth. out to sb. They rent boats out to tourists.

Synonyms: borgen (to lend), mieten (to rent); Antonyms: leihen (to borrow), zurückgeben (to return)

From the prefix 'ver-' + 'leihen' (to lend/borrow). The prefix here specifies the direction of the action: lending out.

While 'leihen' can mean both lend and borrow, 'verleihen' specifically means to lend *to* someone. Think of 'verifying' who you lend to.